Quintin Berry is Detroit Tigers Rookie of the Year

Quintin Berry nearly gave up on baseball after he was released by the New York Mets last April, convinced that he would have to find another way to support his wife and forthcoming baby.

He’d later sign with the Cincinnati Reds, then wash out again before finally landing with the Detroit Tigers in November. In spring training, when he was one of the surprises of camp, he was just hoping to stick with the organization, and maybe get a chance to prove himself in Triple-A.

Now, Berry’s been named the Detroit Tigers Rookie of the Year for the 2012 season, as voted by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters’ Association. He’ll be presented with his award before a home game next season.

He debuted with the Tigers in late May, when center fielder and leadoff man Austin Jackson was on the disabled list with a strain in his side, but did enough to stick with the team even after Jackson’s return.

Berry, who made a bit of Tigers history in the regular season and again in the postseason, hit .258 with 18 extra-base hits, 29 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 94 games. He ranked in the top five among American League rookies in triples (2nd, six), stolen bases (tied-2nd), runs scored (4th, 44) and hits (5th, 75).

The fleet-footed outfielder became the first Tiger in the modern era (since 1918) to begin his career by hitting safely in six straight games, then got two hits and a stolen base in Game 1 of the AL Division Series. The last Tigers rookie to do that in his postseason debut was Matty McIntyre in 1908.